Monday, July 29, 2019

Peach Zucchini Muffins #MuffinMonday

Peach Zucchini Muffins #MuffinMonday


Chunks of peaches combined with shredded zucchini in this peach jam-sweetened whole grain muffin.


photo of a plate of peach & zucchini muffins on a table, with muffins scattered around


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Necessity is the mother of inventive recipes I am sure. Why else would anyone combine zucchini and peaches? Sure, food that is ripe at the same time generally pairs well together (tomatoes + basil, cucumbers + dill are two good examples) but it seems a little crazy to combine peaches and zucchini in a muffin.



Call me crazy. I've been a canning fool (you can see on my FB page) and when I realized I had a jar of peach jam left in the pantry from a previous . . . ahem . . . home . . . I decided to use it in a muffin.  [What happens to jam after a 23 months in a cool dark place? Well, not much. The top of the jam was a bit darker than the rest, but the jar remained sealed and it tasted delicious. I just wanted room for all the peach raspberry jam I canned this year. Out with the old. Into a muffin.]

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Chunks of peaches combined with shredded zucchini in this peach jam-sweetened whole grain muffin recipe.


This muffin uses whole grains--whole wheat flour and cornmeal. The first and third batches were made using white whole wheat flour and are a bit lighter in texture than the second batch, but using your standard whole wheat flour works fine as well.




I didn't put chunks of peaches in the first batch, which is why there was a second batch, and I wanted to show the muffin method in a video which is why there's a third batch. I recommend chunks--they are fun. My jam was not chunky at all, so if you are using a chunky peach jam you make the call.


photo of a plate of peach zucchini muffins on a table outside, dogs napping in the sunny background



Sometimes I use some homegrown volunteer zucchini from the garden yard. Because the larger squash had a tough rind by the time I tripped over them, I chose to peel the squash before shredding it. If you're using younger, tender zucchini like I get in the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm share, please feel free to skip the peeling step.


However, if you're trying to feed people who don't like green things you may wish to peel off the skin. Not that I'm an advocate of sneaking vegetables--my kids will ask if there are beets in a purple smoothie and I won't lie [there usually are, what else am I going to do with beets?]. I like the little stripes of green in these muffins.


photo of a bored Basset hound dog with garden volunteer zucchini plants + squash
Robert Barker is so bored in this photo. Like a teen or something.



Note: there's a variable in this recipe--how much water content your shredded zucchini has in it. Since I usually freeze, thaw, drain, squeeze and wring my shredded zucchini mine is pretty darn dry. The process of freezing breaks down the plant cell walls and releases fluid so you get a whole lot out. If you have very dry zucchini you may need to add milk to the batter. If you've got fresh zucchini you may not need to add any milk at all.


For other recipes using peaches, please see my Peach Recipes Collection. For other recipes using Zucchini, please see my Zucchini Recipes Collection. These pages are part of the Visual Recipe Index by Ingredient, a resource for folks like me eating from the farm share, the garden [or yard] abundance, or the farmer's market. For other muffin recipes, please check out the drop down recipe index on the right sidebar. I don't post these things to bury them, you know.

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image of a bowl of Peach Zucchini muffin batter, ready to scoop into muffin pan and then bake
This is after adding an additional 2 Tablespoons milk.




photo of a plate of peach zucchini muffins




Muffin Monday
#MuffinMonday is a group of muffin loving bakers who get together once a month to bake muffins. You can see all of our lovely muffins by following our Pinterest board. Updated links for all of our past events and more information about Muffin Monday can be found on our home page.




image of plate filled with peach & zucchini muffins

15 comments:

  1. While I don't advocate actually LYING to children, I have been known not to mention anything about the addition of zucchini until said muffins have been eaten and enjoyed. Case in point: http://www.foodlustpeoplelove.com/2013/08/chocolate-chip-zucchini-muffins.html I'm sure you will be horrified by the amount of sugar I used but my nephews practically licked the plate. :)

    I love that you used peach jam as your sweetener, Kirsten. I often use jam as a flavoring but maybe I need to get more assertive in the amounts and try to cut back on the sugar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stacy,
      Those muffins look wonderful--no wonder your nephews loved them! Any food on vacation ought to be a treat, you use as much sugar as you want!
      Thanks!

      Delete
  2. Not gonna lie, the peach and zucchini combination did have me raising an eyebrow but I trust pretty much anything you'd make so I'm in.

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    Replies
    1. Meghan,
      Im glad you're in. It's weird, but good. Ooh! Strange but good!
      Thanks!

      Delete
  3. Robert Barker is hysterical and the muffins are to die for. I know I have jam older than 23 months on my pantry shelf. (eek!) Delicious muffins and so clever to use the peach jam. I'll take a baker's dozen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Allie,
      Robert Barker was the best 50th birthday present I could ever have hoped for!
      That dog spreads joy every day.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  4. Peaches and zucchini is a great combinations especially if they are from the garden. Love this idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ali,
      Boy I'd love to have fresh from the garden peaches . . . I'll settle for zucchini, though. The gifts from the compost that just keep on giving.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  5. This is totally my jam--my peach jam :) Love it Kirsten!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristen,
      You're a hoot after my own heart!
      Thanks!

      Delete
  6. I absolutely must try these when we get some zucchini! Found you from Carole's Chatter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris,
      These muffins are a real strange combination but it works--especially when you're drowning in zucchini come August.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. Robert Barker is a doll! And, as always, your muffins sound delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am always thrilled to get another zucchini recipe. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think that's a great combination, actually. I love seeing the green flecks in the muffins too.

    ReplyDelete